Bettacreek - New home? Plus a pic of some of the ladies here

[Bettacreek]

Well, they credited my account with the $30 withdraw.

And... School is freaking AWESOME! I'm doing very well so I'm very excited! It's so cool to just read the books and play with the supplies we've got, lol. So far, I'm sticking in high honors, hopefully that sticks all through school!!!

 

[Bettacreek]

Made my first (blackberry) jam last week and it was a huge hit. My parents are waiting for me to make strawberry jam next, saying that they're sure it's going to be so much better than anything they could buy at the store. Now, just to find the darned time to make it! School is CRAZY!!! This week alone, there are three quizzes, three reviews and three exams. Next week will be just as crazy! I'm doing alright. Not as well as I could, if only I sat down and actually read the material. Sticking right around 90% on average (one class is more difficult without reading the material, since it's not all stuff that you can figure out if you put your mind to it, lol. And my stethescope of course is LOST in the mail! The crazy thing is that it was being shipped from NY to PA and it got lost at the facility that they "checked" it into. So, bought a new one just now because I need it. Not sure if I will be able to get my money back for the first one or not. :/

 

[Bettacreek]

Ugh. I'm having some major issues with depression... Can't concentrate for crap! My only form of income (child support) was cut in half, because the assistance office decided that they wanted that money, claiming that it wasn't paid back last year... I think they goofed up because nobody has called me back about it and I keep getting the run around (they aren't even entirely sure if that's the reason why it was deducted, and they keep having me call other offices that just direct me back to them!!!) So, the weather is changing, the boys need new clothes (mainly socks for them and pants for my oldest) and I'm running on empty. I'm about ready to have a freak out moment. I just don't know how I'm supposed to survive this year with minimal income and all the stress that comes along with school!!!

 

[savingdogs]

Don't freak out. If worst came to worst, you could do laundry really frequently. We were so broke last spring, we washed my son's school clothes every night because he only had two outfits. I realize that is simplifying the problem, but you are smart and frugal, you can figure out a way. It just isn't any fun.

I understand feeling depressed about it.

 

[Bettacreek]

Ugh!!! Still waiting for the damn food stamps! When it rains, it pours. I've got $20 to my name, a gas tank with 2.5 gallons of gas in it and I feel like I'm going to bust here soon. This all simply sucks. I have two craft shows in November where I can hopefully make some money, but I know it won't be much at all. I'm about ready to sell my soul.

 

[Henrietta23]

 

[hillfarm]

Find a food bank in your area. It could help tied you over till you get some stamps. They also can help you to find clothes either free or super cheap for the kids. You can also get help with your utilities and chances are if you reach out to one they can help you find the others. Dial 211 on your phone, they can help too.

I went months cooking my kids meals on a single plug in burner. It was a pain in the arse. A friend told her pastor about our situation - I was too broke to buy a new stove and we lived in a rental without a stove. Next thing I knew the church delivered a stove to us.

If you have a church, be willing to humble yourself and ask for help. They may be able to help you find work or help you meet simple needs.

I did the single mom for years. Its either feast or starve. Focus on the fact that you are making things better. Be proud that you are going to school and making a future. This is temporary.

 

[Bettacreek]

Ugh! My kids were sent to daycare with three pairs of pants each today. One kid comes home with NO PANTS ON!!! I'm just so frustrated. How do they go through so many pairs of pants when they're stuck indoors all day d/t rain?! At the very least, put the least dirty pair of pants back on them before they go home. :/

I should have the FS here. They should have been credited. Apparantly it's pick on Lindsey month at the assistance office... First my child support is deducted and then they don't get my FS to me...

 

[Bettacreek]

Things are slowly looking better. I'm getting a grant for school that will pay for EVERYTHING school related, from gas in my car to and from school, to daycare co-pays and even internet, since I can only get on it if I stay at the boyfriend's house (it's a requirement for school, even though it's not an online school, go figure). FS are still not in, I have to call again on Monday if I can get a chance before they all pack up and go home. :/ But, I'm putting an order in for lotion supplies soon so that I can hopefully sell some and make more money with craft shows and online sales. Plus that'll help with xmas, since I can make up a nice basket of handmade stuff for most people.

 

[rathbone]

Mostly I have been just lurking here, reading what you write but never commenting. Sounds like you and I are on the same budget. I keep complaining that if I tighten my belt any more, my backbone is going to get a callus.
But I like all the advice you have been given...and mostly - just keep going forward. You will survive this period in your life and you will feel an incredible sense of accomplishment - and your children are going to look back and remember how amazing you were to pull it all off. Stop, have a cup of tea, pat yourself on the back and then get back up and go at life some more. You are doing a great job.